Best Steelhead Fishing in Oregon

by
Photo courtesy of Mah-Hah Outfitters
Anglers holding a steelhead caught east of the cascade.

Sharing is caring!

Somewhere in Oregon, on this very day (whatever month it is) there most likely is some good (or even great) steelhead fishing.

In the first few months of the year, winter steelhead are running strong across western Oregon.

By early spring, wild winter steelhead are bending rods in western Oregon, this year’s summer steelhead are arriving, and last year’s fish are still biting in northeastern Oregon.

By the time the first 90-degree days arrive, summer steelhead have spread across the western valleys and are making their way up the Columbia River into Oregon’s dry central and east side.

By fall, summer steelhead can still be caught from coastal streams to the Idaho border, and a new run of winter fish will be here for the holidays.

An angler holding a winter steelhead caught at sixes river.
Photo courtesy of Fishing the Rogue

As you can see while scrolling down this page, we have a ton of steelhead fishing information on this website. For now, follow any of the links below to learn more about Oregon’s best steelhead rivers.

After that, at the bottom of this article, we’ll link you to our simple guide with the very best ways to catch steelhead.

Northwest Oregon

Best Winter Steelhead Rivers on Oregon’s North Coast

For additional details of select rivers in the North Coast area:

Angler holding a big nestucca river steelhead.
Photo courtesy of Barnett Guide Service

Best Winter Steelhead Rivers on Oregon’s Central Coast

For additional details of select rivers in the Central Coast area:

Best Small Steelhead Streams in Oregon’s Northwest Zone

For additional details of select small rivers in Northwest Zone:

Best Summer Steelhead Fishing on the Oregon Coast

For additional details about summer steelhead fishing on coastal rivers in the Northwest Zone:

Southwest Oregon

Winter Steelhead Fishing in the Coos, Coquille and Umpqua Rivers

Best Winter Steelhead Fishing in the Rogue and South Coast

For additional details about winter steelhead fishing on on Oregon’s South Coast:

Best Small Steelhead Streams in Oregon’s Southwest Zone

Best Summer Steelhead Fishing on the Oregon Coast

For additional details about summer steelhead fishing on coastal rivers in the Southwest Zone:

Portland and Willamette Valley

A grinning kid holding a big steelhead.
Photo by John Elder Fishing Guide Service

Best Winter Steelhead Fishing Near Portland

For additional details about specific winter steelhead fishing rivers near Portland:

Best Summer Steelhead Fishing Near Portland

For additional details about specific summer steelhead fishing rivers near Portland:

Best Summer Steelhead Fishing in the Willamette Valley

For additional details about specific summer steelhead fishing rivers in the Willamette Valley:

Central and Eastern Oregon

An angler holding a steelhead slightly above the water at deschutes river.
Photos courtesy of River Runner Outfitters

Best Steelhead Fishing in the Mid-Columbia Area

For additional details about specific steelhead fishing rivers in Oregon’s Mid-Columbia River area:

Best Steelhead Fishing in Northeast Oregon (Snake River drainage)

For additional details about specific steelhead fishing rivers in Northeast Oregon:

We’re betting you’d like to learn how to catch more steelhead in all these great places, right?

Read our easy guide, Steelhead Fishing: Simple How-To Techniques and Tips.

And for a wealth of other information, try the following resources…

Return to Best Fishing in Oregon page

For month-by-month ideas of when and where steelhead and other types of fishing are best near you, see our Oregon Fishing Calendar.

Oregon Resources

ODFW Weekly Fishing Report
ODFW Trout Stocking Schedule
Oregon Fishing Regulations
National Weather Service